While attending the 2010 March For Life in Washington, DC, I was struck by the thousands of young people who were there to give support for the pro-life cause. So many youth groups and individuals had a passion and exuberance that I have rarely seen for any cause.
Many of their predecessors in the movement have bickered over what is the correct approach, what group is doing it right, or what pro-life leader should be followed. It's amazing the level of disgust I have seen from some pro-lifers against other pro-lifers because they felt one group didn't spend enough time stopping abortion or were using the wrong method.
Many high school and college students realize that one-third of their generation has been killed in the name of abortion, and they want to do something about it. In a recent poll 58% of those 18-29 say that abortion is morally wrong. What should be their plan of attack? Should they want a movement based on the attempt to change the laws or one that shows graphic pictures to shock the public? Should they attempt to convert many churches from non-action to an active role in stopping abortion? Should they focus on the biblical view of defending the unborn and prayerful vigils such as 40 Days For Life? Should they want to only pass out literature about the preborn or have fetal model displays? Should they have a concerted effort to just talk to their peers one-on-one to spread the message?
When one sees the commitment they have at rallies and marches it begs the question of what do they do to defend the cause for the rest of the year. Possibly the youth will follow in the footsteps of the past generation and focus on the best approach for them on an individual basis. What is the most effective way for the youth to spread the pro-life message? I would like to read your opinion in the "comments" on what is the best approach that they should use. If you have one that I haven't mentioned that would be great. Thanks.
February 1, 2010
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4 comments:
I believe the youth should take advantage of all of the instant communication they have available such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter to get mobilized against abortion.
Just talking about it with friends is a step in the right direction. Embrace the subject, debate it, and get it out if the closet. Honestly, amoung people who are older, the subject seems so taboo, and I think it's just refreshing to hear it discussed, period. I know it's a personal decision, but we're talking about the life and death of so many human beings on such a grand scale here.
What type of pro-life should young people get involved with? This is my suggestion:-
Something that is repeated often (daily/weekly, not just once a year), leads to discussion, saves lives and is supportive/caring (Good Samaritan style) rather than just telling people what to do.
We had an in-depth and very interesting conversation with a couple of young men yesterday in town at our display table. Before they stopped they were pro-choice but told us that they were really made to think. Then the taller guy, who worked in the betting office, made two comments which I think are worthing relating in connection with this post:-
1. The display of foetal models was the reason they came over to the table: "What on earth are they?!"
2. What he called "The knock-on effect." He told us that people will talk about this to their friends, especially when one of them is pregnant. "This is going to save lives, isn't!"
Alan Thorne
I would say one approach that could be used when talking to abortion supporters is to emphasize how much you care about the women who are pregnant.
A lot of the pro-abortion discussions I've read include pro-choice women arguing that pro-life supporters only care about the baby and not the woman. These ideas are prevelent around feminist and pro-choice circles. Even if this were true it wouldn't justify killing an unborn child but I feel that these women will turn away from the pro-life group if they feel that they are apathetic towards what they are going through.
Personally, I think the pro-life side does care a lot about women that's why they put so much emphasis on practicing safe-sex, because they want to prevent unplanned pregnancies from happening and there are a lot of pregnancy centers that help women after their pregnancy.
The pro-life youth should send the message that we care about BOTH, the unborn and the woman and theres no need to value one over the other.
I'm not saying it's fair for the pro-choice side to make these kind of acquisations but if pro-life groups would emphasize how much they really do care about these pregnant women and how hard pregnancy can be then at least the other side will be more likely to listen.
Just something to think about.
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